S.F. Supervisor Avalos admits affair with top staffer

Supervisor John Avalos says he had an affair with top aide Raquel Redondiez (right), who is on leave. (Paul Chinn, The Chronicle)

San Francisco Supervisor John Avalos, a former mayoral candidate, has acknowledged that he had an affair with his top office aide — a relationship that appears to have skirted the boundaries of city rules.

Avalos said his $95,082-a-year aide, Raquel Redondiez, went on unpaid leave in May but has not officially quit.

“We are not together, but we have shared our feelings for one another, and I felt it was most appropriate for her to find employment outside this office,” said Avalos, 50.

“I let a lot of people down, and I’m really sorry,” Avalos said.

Supervisor John Avalos. Jason Henry/Special to the Chronicle

The supervisor separated this year from his wife, a San Francisco elementary-school teacher. The couple have two children.

Avalos – who came in second to Mayor Ed Lee in the 2011 election – said he first met Redondiez when they both worked as staffers a decade ago for then-Supervisor Chris Daly.

Avalos was elected supervisor in 2008 from District 11 but did not say when the romance started, how long it lasted or when it might have ended.

Although city personnel rules do not expressly prohibit relationships between bosses and their direct subordinates, they do set strict guidelines.

“You must notify your supervisor if you are, or become, related to or romantically involved with another employee in the workplace over whom you have the authority to impose or recommend an employment action,” the city personnel handbook says.

It also says, “Supervisors and managers should avoid any appearance of favoritism or nepotism in the workplace.”

City Hall records show that Redondiez went on unpaid leave May 28. Board of Supervisors clerk Angela Calvillo says she was never given a reason for Redondiez’s exit.

Avalos told us that the leave is set to expire at the end of July but that Redondiez is still looking for other work and that her leave could be extended.

Redondiez did not return our calls seeking comment.

Avalos, who is termed out of office in 2016, says that he regrets his behavior and that his family will have to deal with the pain of the affair going public.

“Overall, my relations mean a lot to me, and the trust people have in me means a lot to me,” he said. “I have a lot of trust to repair with my family.”

Here are 10 other politicians who went through sex scandals — and came out unscathed. Do you think Avalos will survive the scandal?

Stains on blue dresses. "I did not have sex with that woman..." The Starr Report. Former Bill Clinton's affair with a White House intern - IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- seems like a million years ago. The internationally revered head of the Clinton Global Initiative deserves credit for helping save President Obama's 2012 re-election bid for being what Obama called "The Secretary of Explaining Stuff."

Image 1 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

Stains on blue dresses. "I did not have sex with that woman..." The Starr Report. Former Bill Clinton's affair with a White House intern - IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- seems like a million years ago. The internationally revered head of the Clinton Global Initiative deserves credit for helping save President Obama's 2012 re-election bid for being what Obama called "The Secretary of Explaining Stuff."

Stains on blue dresses. "I did not have sex with that woman..." The Starr Report. Former Bill Clinton's affair with a White House...intern - IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- seems like a million years ago. The...internationally revered head of the Clinton Global Initiative deserves...credit for helping save President Obama's 2012 re-election bid for...being what Obama called "The Secretary of Explaining Stuff."

Image 2 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

AFP/Getty Images

Few may ever forgive -- or understand -- why Hollywood star/former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had an affair and fathered a child with his family's live-in maid. His career in elected office may be done, but he's re-emerged with a position at USC and is speaking out on climate change. It hasn't affected his Hollywood career. As long as your movies make money, nobody cares what you do off-screen. Ask Lindsay Lohan.

Image 2 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

Few may ever forgive -- or understand -- why Hollywood star/former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had an affair and fathered a child with his family's live-in maid. His career in elected office may be done, but he's re-emerged with a position at USC and is speaking out on climate change. It hasn't affected his Hollywood career. As long as your movies make money, nobody cares what you do off-screen. Ask Lindsay Lohan.

Few may ever forgive -- or understand -- why Hollywood star/former...California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had an affair and fathered a...child with his family's live-in maid. His career in elected office may...be done, but he's re-emerged with a position at USC and is speaking...out on climate change. It hasn't affected his Hollywood career. As...long as your movies make money, nobody cares what you do off-screen....Ask Lindsay Lohan.

Image 3 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

Associated Press

"Hiking the Appalachian Trail" was possibly the worst-ever lie/alibi for stepping out on a partner, but Mark Sanford tried when he disappeared for a few days as governor of South Carolina. Cultural joke? Sure. But say that to newly-elected Rep. Mark Sanford. The public -- or at least enough of the voting public -- forgave him.

Image 3 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

"Hiking the Appalachian Trail" was possibly the worst-ever lie/alibi for stepping out on a partner, but Mark Sanford tried when he disappeared for a few days as governor of South Carolina. Cultural joke? Sure. But say that to newly-elected Rep. Mark Sanford. The public -- or at least enough of the voting public -- forgave him.

"Hiking the Appalachian Trail" was possibly the worst-ever lie/alibi...for stepping out on a partner, but Mark Sanford tried when he...disappeared for a few days as governor of South Carolina. Cultural...joke? Sure. But say that to newly-elected Rep. Mark Sanford. The...public -- or at least enough of the voting public -- forgave him.

Image 4 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

Bloomberg

CA Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom had an affair with the wife of his friend and campaign manager when he was mayor of San Francisco. Violation of the Man Code? Sure. But hardly a speed bump for his political career. He was re-elected as mayor in 2007 and handily won statewide office in 2010.

Image 4 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

CA Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom had an affair with the wife of his friend and campaign manager when he was mayor of San Francisco. Violation of the Man Code? Sure. But hardly a speed bump for his political career. He was re-elected as mayor in 2007 and handily won statewide office in 2010.

CA Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom had an affair with the wife of his friend and...campaign manager when he was mayor of San Francisco. Violation of the...Man Code? Sure. But hardly a speed bump for his political career. He...was re-elected as mayor in 2007 and handily won statewide office in...2010.

Image 5 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

Courtesy to The Chronicle

When you talk scandals, perhaps nobody rebounded better than President Thomas Jefferson. Dude had sex and a child with a 17-year-old slave. You might know Jefferson from his spot on Mount Rushmore. Imagine what that scandal would have been like if TMZ were around in the 1800s.

Image 5 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

When you talk scandals, perhaps nobody rebounded better than President Thomas Jefferson. Dude had sex and a child with a 17-year-old slave. You might know Jefferson from his spot on Mount Rushmore. Imagine what that scandal would have been like if TMZ were around in the 1800s.

When you talk scandals, perhaps nobody rebounded better than President...Thomas Jefferson. Dude had sex and a child with a 17-year-old slave....You might know Jefferson from his spot on Mount Rushmore. Imagine what...that scandal would have been like if TMZ were around in the 1800s.

Image 6 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

Getty Images

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa broke up his marriage with a 2007 affair with a TV reporter. But not his political career. Angelenos -- not surprisingly -- didn't care. The man TMZ calls "Mayor Suave" was re-elected in 2009 and served in 2012 as the public face of the Democratic National Convention.

Image 6 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa broke up his marriage with a 2007 affair with a TV reporter. But not his political career. Angelenos -- not surprisingly -- didn't care. The man TMZ calls "Mayor Suave" was re-elected in 2009 and served in 2012 as the public face of the Democratic National Convention.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa broke up his marriage with a...2007 affair with a TV reporter. But not his political career....Angelenos -- not surprisingly -- didn't care. The man TMZ calls "Mayor...Suave" was re-elected in 2009 and served in 2012 as the public face of...the Democratic National Convention.

Image 7 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

AP

Sen. David Vitter, R-La. made mandatory school prayer and abstinence education pillars of his legislative career. But not his personal career -- in 2007 he showed up as client in a prostitution ring bust. Hasn't hurt his career -- he was handily re-elected in 2010. Hypocrisy? In politics? Noooooooo!!!

Image 7 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

Sen. David Vitter, R-La. made mandatory school prayer and abstinence education pillars of his legislative career. But not his personal career -- in 2007 he showed up as client in a prostitution ring bust. Hasn't hurt his career -- he was handily re-elected in 2010. Hypocrisy? In politics? Noooooooo!!!

Sen. David Vitter, R-La. made mandatory school prayer and abstinence...education pillars of his legislative career. But not his personal...career -- in 2007 he showed up as client in a prostitution ring bust....Hasn't hurt his career -- he was handily re-elected in 2010....Hypocrisy? In politics? Noooooooo!!!

Image 8 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

Associated Press

In 1985, Rep. Barney Frank paid a male prostitute for sex . They became friends and Frank allowed the man to live with him for two more years. The voters of Massachusetts were shocked. So shocked they kept re-electing Frank until he retired in 2012.

Image 8 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

In 1985, Rep. Barney Frank paid a male prostitute for sex . They became friends and Frank allowed the man to live with him for two more years. The voters of Massachusetts were shocked. So shocked they kept re-electing Frank until he retired in 2012.

In 1985, Rep. Barney Frank paid a male prostitute for sex . They...became friends and Frank allowed the man to live with him for two more...years. The voters of Massachusetts were shocked. So shocked they kept...re-electing Frank until he retired in 2012.

Image 9 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

AP

Rep. Gerry Studds, D-MA was the first openly gay person elected to Congress. His constituents didn't mind that he admitted in 1983 to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male House page. They re-elected him six times.

Image 9 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

Rep. Gerry Studds, D-MA was the first openly gay person elected to Congress. His constituents didn't mind that he admitted in 1983 to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male House page. They re-elected him six times.

Rep. Gerry Studds, D-MA was the first openly gay person elected to...Congress. His constituents didn't mind that he admitted in 1983 to...having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male House page. They...re-elected him six times.

Image 10 of 10|Sex scandal survivors

The Chronicle

When he was NY's Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer cracked down hard on high-end prostitution rings. And then, as governor, he became a customer. The man known as Client No. 9 resigned after getting busted in a ring. Yeah, his political career may be toast, but not his ideas. He's had national talk shows on CNN and San Francisco's own Current TV.

Image 10 of 10 - Sex scandal survivors

When he was NY's Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer cracked down hard on high-end prostitution rings. And then, as governor, he became a customer. The man known as Client No. 9 resigned after getting busted in a ring. Yeah, his political career may be toast, but not his ideas. He's had national talk shows on CNN and San Francisco's own Current TV.

When he was NY's Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer cracked down hard on...high-end prostitution rings. And then, as governor, he became a...customer. The man known as Client No. 9 resigned after getting busted...in a ring. Yeah, his political career may be toast, but not his ideas....He's had national talk shows on CNN and San Francisco's own Current...TV.